Firstly, I made a mistake on chapter 2. Ryu wasn't the one who said they'll go to Yankumi's house. It was Ren. Sorry for that.

Secondly, it took me months before updating again because I was concentrating on doing my thesis. My mind was full of technical terms and solutions for my designs.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who reviewed and messaged me. I truly appreciate your reviews and messages. Don't worry, I'll finish the story.

So here goes the chapter 3.

*This is dramaverse but I included some important details and people from the manga.

R&R minna-san ^^


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Hayato Yabuki stretched his arms as he and Ryu walked with no particular place to go. Hayato didn't expect everything that had happened this day especially the sudden appearance of Shin Sawada. He must admit, this Shin Sawada has this cool but strong aura of a leader in him. Hayato is totally aware about the special feeling of Ryu towards Yankumi. Ryu didn't need to tell him about this as Hayato can actually feel and observe his friend's behaviour. Ryu doesn't talk much but Hayato sure does know a lot about him. He had been with him for years that he already knows everything about him even if Ryu doesn't talk much. He knows how confused Ryu about his feelings towards their former teacher. He wasn't actually surprised that Ryu developed some feelings towards their teacher. She's the first ever adult they have trusted and she's always herself every time. How can you ever find a woman these days showing their true self every single time not caring about others opinion? Hayato might also be attracted towards Yankumi but not like how Ryu feels about her. The sudden appearance of Shin Sawada might affect whatever Ryu's up to. Hayato knows that Ryu is trying to get closer to Yankumi and to see him not just a former student. He glanced at Ryu who looked at him as well as he raised his brows as if asking what's the matter. Ryu needs to do something before Shin Sawada can have Yankumi again, Hayato thought.

"Wanna go for a drink somewhere?" Hayato asked Ryu.

"Sure" replied Ryu.


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Shin Sawada walked beside the quiet Yankumi. He needed to come up with a good topic as to not have an awkward walk. They already gathered his things few minutes ago and they are now on their way to Yankumi's house. Aside from the small talks about arriving this morning, they haven't talked much. He really wanted to ask Yankumi about them, about what happened to them, what Yankumi wanted now, should they continue, should they go back to where they started or that Yankumi doesn't want him anymore. But he could somehow sense that Yankumi doesn't want to talk about it, besides, it's the first time seeing her again after he left for Africa. I'll wait. It'll wait.

"Shin," Yankumi suddenly spoke causing Shin to come back to his senses. He looked at Yankumi's serious face as they both stopped walking. Yankumi's house is now just few meters from where they are standing. "Whatever you are thinking now, can we talk about those later? Not now. I know we should sort things out but can we just pretend that this is just a normal homecoming of my student?" She smiled at him awkwardly.

Shin nodded to this and smiled at her faintly. "I understand." He muttered.

"And don't worry, they don't have the slightest hint of what happened in the past. Well, that's what I know." Yankumi assured him. Shin nodded. And to this, they continued walking, approaching Yankumi's house.

"Tadaima!" Yankumi said in a loud voice causing all his men to line up and greet her.

"Welcome back Ojou." They all bowed and after a few seconds they realized that a young man was beside her smiling at them genuinely. "Young Master Lion!" They said in unison.

"Our Young Lion is finally back, I see." Kyou patted him at the back stronger than was expected causing Shin to fall back a little but managed to be back with his posture as soon as the boss of the house came approaching.

"I heard Kumiko's back and I can see a young man returning from somewhere." Kuroda Ryuichiro nodded at Shin.

"Tadaima." Shin bowed to him respectfully.

"Welcome back, young man." The leader responded. "Tetsu, Minoru prepare a nice dinner for this special person here. Wakamatsu, Sugawara carry his things and prepare a room for him, I assume he'll be staying here quite a while. Kyou, usher this young man to our dining hall." He commanded the men of the house in which they all followed.

Shin looked at Yankumi who was smiling genuinely at her and she nodded at him signalling him to follow her grandfather and the chief.

Yankumi, on the other hand, went straight to her bedroom to wash and change. She opened her drawer where the picture of Shin was. She sighed heavily as she put it down and got ready for the dinner.


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"What were you saying again, Hayato?" Asked the slightly drunk Ryu. The two were supposed to be in a bar drinking but they ended up in Ryu's apartment. Ryu told Hayato that students or other teachers might see them and his reputation will be at stake besides he's still a new teacher.

"I asked you what you will do now that Sawada-san is back." Said the slightly irritated Hayato.

Ryu looked at him and raised his brow at Hayato. "What of it? It's not like I care." Seeing that Hayato's face suggests that his friend doubts his word he spoke again, "You think I have feelings for Yankumi?!"

"I know you Ryu. We've been friends for years." Hayato rolled his eyes at Ryu. "Really, I see nothing wrong to it. Plus, you're a bit caring towards her." He smiled sheepishly to his friend who is evidently blushing. Or was it just the alcohol?

"Yankumi is, if not a teacher, a big sister to me. And I'm just going to tease him a little bit, Hayato." Ryu said reaching for another beer. "You saw how he was reacting, eh?"

Hayato frowned at his obviously lying friend. "Whatever Ryu. Just be careful." He can see Ryu raising his brows at what he had said as if asking what's with 'be careful'. "Be careful not with teasing Sawada-san that he might punch you or whatever shit he'll do to you but be careful with your feelings. You might fall in love with Yankumi." At this Ryu laughed loudly telling him how impossible it was. "I'm serious."

Ryu knows that Hayato was serious with this. He lied about teasing Shin Sawada. He wouldn't do that. He's only going to assess his own feelings towards Yankumi.


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In Yankumi's house, a nice dinner always means a hot pot. As soon as Shin smelled the delicious and familiar hotpot, he began to relax and to really feel that he is finally 'home'. Aside from Yankumi, it has always been this house that Shin was missing when he was away. Seeing the whole family of Yankumi delighted with his arrival made him truly happy. Yankumi, who is obviously enjoying her favourite hotpot, is seating beside him which made him even happier.

"Eat, Shin." She smiled at him.

Kuroda, who is seated at the head of table, began asking him about his volunteer work in Africa. Shin told the leader how hard it was but truly fulfilling job. "I actually work there for less than two years." He can feel the surprise look of Yankumi directed to him.

"W-where were you for the last few years then?" Yankumi stopped eating her food and was now facing him with a stern look at her face.

"Geez, relax Yankumi. I went to America to study. I studied law. So apparently you should be addressing me as Sawada-sensei." He grinned at her and finally saw the proud look of Yankumi. Yankumi stood up and ruffled his hair muttering how proud she was to him. It was then when Kyou uttered something that made Yankumi stop and think deeply.

"You can be our lawyer now!"

"No!" Yankumi said loudly and sat down. "No, Shin." It was only this time that she realized that he took up law because he wanted to be a part of her family. Not that she doesn't want it, not that her family is bad. But there are more opportunity out there who needs his abilities not getting involved with her family affairs. "Ojii-san, I am not saying our family is bad. You know that. I just want my former student not to get into our family affairs."

Kuroda laughed at how her granddaughter reacted. "Kumiko, give the young man his freedom of choosing his path. Besides, he's already mature enough to make his own decisions."

Shin grinned at the frowning Kumiko beside him. He laughed silently while watching Yankumi mutter something to herself.

As the dinner ended, Sugawara brought out a fine soju in celebration of Shin's homecoming. They drunk happily and played some board games. Few minutes later, the leader of the clan went to his room because he needed to attend some paper works and reminded them to have fun. Little by little the men of the house went to their room until only Shin, Yankumi and Kyou were left. Except, Yankumi has already passed out few moments ago.

"So Young Lion, are ya gonna p-pursue o'er Ojou now?" Asked the grinning and drunk Kyou-san. Shin's cheeks flared and at this, Kyou-san laughed at Shin. "Y-you-uh-carry Ojou to er room, 'kay? You, don't do anythingstupid to her." As soon as Kyou-san finished muttering those things, he passed out and began snoring.

Shin carried Yankumi to her room. She's heavier than he thought she was. As he put her down on her bed, she winced in pain. Shin, with a concerned look, searched for the cause of the pain that Yankumi felt. "Always protecting your students and not caring for yourself eh, Kumiko."

"Shin," Yankumi spoke suddenly, softly with eyes closed.

"Kumiko?" Shin softly responded as he fix her hair away from her face.

"Welcome back." She said as she slept soundly and peacefully.

Shin smiled as he silently went to his room, contemplating about things he would do. He wanted to apologize to Yankumi and ask her what they will do next if she still wants him.


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Shin woke up in the morning earlier than expected. He decided to visit his friend Kuma and to eat at his place. He told the men of the house about his plan and would be back before lunch. So Shin went to Kuma's ramen shop to talk to his friend about things and to clear his mind. And of course, to ask what is the relationship between that Ryu and Yankumi.

Kuma gave him his ordered ramen as he sat on the chair facing Shin.

"You're really early." Kuma began to speak. "Anyway, Shin-chan, I have this friend that has a vacant apartment nearby. I told him that you are looking for a place to stay. So if you are interested you can go there later and check his apartment. Here's the contact number and address." Kuma handed him a paper.

"Thank you, Kuma. This is a big help. Really."

"Or are you enjoying living with Yankumi's family?" Kuma grinned at him.

"As much as I want to stay there, I can't. I don't like them thinking that I am imposing myself there no matter how welcoming they are to me." Shin said as he ate his ramen. And it would be awkward for him and Yankumi to be at the same roof having their own unsolved problem.

"I see." Kuma said as he prepares to leave the table where his friend was eating. Customers are starting to come and he needed to take their orders. "Shin-chan, you and Yankumi really need to talk. Explain to her everything. Well, if you will excuse me, I need to take orders now. Good luck, Shin-chan." Shin nodded and thanked his friend.

After finisihing his ramen and bidding goodbye to Kuma, Shin went to the address that Kuma gave to him. While he was walking, he could feel that a group was following him. At first he thought they were some thugs. But as he walked slowly and heard them talking, they sounded quite familiar and he even looked back. They immediately hid behind a wall but he was keen enough to see who they were but he pretended that he didn't see them. They might have been curious on who I am.


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Ren, Ogata, Honjo, Kuraki, Ichi and Kamiya were on their way to Kuma's shop before going to Yankumi's house when they saw Shin entering the shop. They all stopped and looked at each other. "Oi senpai's entering the shop." Ren said. "We'll wait for him and follow him later."

When Shin finally went out of Kuma's shop, they followed him quietly to where he was going. They heard him inquiring for an apartment. They were getting bored in following him but after a few minutes, they were already on the way to Yankumi's house. As they continued following him, there were surprised on how everyone in Yankumi's neighbour greeted Shin with great respect.


Ryu Odagiri and Hayato Yabuki decided go to Yankumi's house this Saturday morning because they were quite bored and wanted to observe Shin Sawada. On their way, they saw the group of Ren on their way to Yankumi's house and were surprised to see that they were actually following Shin Sawada. But what actually surprised them was how Shin Sawada was greeted by every person in Yankumi's neighbour and they were calling him with a name.


Shin continued walking on his way to the Oedo's residence. As he passed by every neighbor he was greeted just like before.

All were greeting him and calling him by his nickname.

"It's the Young Master Lion."

"Welcome back, Young Master Lion."

He nodded at them and greeted them back. He almost forgot that a group of Yankumi's students were following him. He decided to look at them when they all arrived at Yankumi's house.


Before anyone could step at the Oedo's residence, they were all surprised, including Shin, that a group of Yakuza were lined up, making a way going to the house.

As soon as they saw Shin enter the residence, all bowed and greeted him. "Welcome back, Young Master Lion Shin Sawada."

Ren, Ogata, Honjo, Kuraki, Ichi, Kamiya, Ryu and Hayato's jaws dropped. They could feel shivers run down their spine. What a scene they just witnessed. Who is this Shin Sawada? Why were they treating him like some leader?

Shin Sawada looked at Kuroda Ryuichiro who smiled and nodded at him.